Happy Halloween!

...the Adventures of Sock Monkey. While I was pregnant we took a sock monkey with us on big trips to document all the cool places we were taking the baby (although she was still in the womb). Sock Monkey traveled all over San Francisco and brought smiles to all that saw it. Now, we have our real sock monkey. Thanks Granny for making this great costume out of actual socks!

Teething already?!?!

...noticing that Kate was a little off. She seemed a little fussy, which is out of character for her. Nothing could really sooth her. You will notice that in the previous post she's chewing on her hand. She started doing that frequently. So, last night, on a whim, I gently rubbed her gums with my finger and felt, to my surprise, teeth! They are already poking through her gums. This wasn't supposed to happen yet so I am really feeling like she is just growing up too fast. I personally think she is trying to grow them in before Christmas so she can eat those yummy treats that I'm sure will be at her Granny's house.

Last week our friend (and Kate's babysitter) had her two year old rcently adopted daughter's, ZZ, pictures made. Kate arrived at the end of the photo shoot and Kate got to have her picture taken with ZZ. ZZ loves "Baby Kate" and as you can tell by Kate's smile, the feeling is mutual.

Kate's First Crush

...her daddy's biggest fear. Kate's babysitter, our good friend Laurie, has 3 boys and a little girl that Kate just loves. We went over there last night to help their oldest son, Jack, with his Halloween costume. Well, I think Kate decided that she is smitten with Jack (sorry we don't have pictures of the other boys and ZZ but they had to go to bed).

She's already learning to make eyes at boys.

Michael held her all morning to remind her who her #1 guy is.

3 Months

...an egg! And POOF we now have a 3 month old. Kathryn is 3 months old today and I can't believe it. She is cooing all the time now and loves to smile. One of her favorite things to do is go to church (because she gets to wear her fancy clothes). She is doing well while I am at work and is adored by her babysitter and her 4 children. One of my favorite things is to see her little 2 year old friend ZZ smile real big and yell "Baby Kate!" every time she sees her. I'm pretty sure that Kate will always be known as "Baby Kate".

We Love Weekends!

...just wanting to post some more pictures of Kate. In recent weeks I have really been focusing on spending lots of quality time with Kathryn and Michael. We are so blessed to have a child and I do not want to take that for granted. So, here are some pictures of what we've been up to as a family.

Photogenic Sophie

....not really having any new pictures of Kate to post at the moment. But I didn't want to leave you with just one new post this week. That would be too lame. So, here are some new pictures of the ever photogenic Sophie. I know these are not equal replacements for Kate, but you should take what you can get. Do you know the sourpatch kids candy commercials, "first they're sour, then they're sweet"? Sophie is the ultimate sourpatch kid. These are pictures of the sweet part, no doubt after having stolen something and hidden it under the bed.

1st Annual Grandma Debbie Day

...Amanda and I wanting to start a family tradition to honor my mom and help Kate learn about her and feel like she was present in her life. We decided to institute an annual Grandma Debbie Day, which takes place in conjunction with the Komen Foundation's Race for the Cure. Since my mom ran out of time in her fight against breast cancer 15 years ago, we thought it would be most fitting that we, as a family, run/walk in this race every year. Amanda made signs for Kate's stroller and our backs to let everyone know for whom we were racing. It is strange for me to think that I have now spent more time alive without my mom than with her, but she was such a formative force in my life that not a day goes by still when I don't think of her. I know she would have loved having a granddaughter. So, even though mom can't be here to take part in Kate's life, we are going to make every effort to make mom's memory an active presence in it. While Kate obviously doesn't understand any of this yet we have pictures to commemorate our 1st Annual Grandma Debbie Day.





Look! Over 7,000 people showed up for 1st Annual Grandma Debbie Day...crazy!

The Nays Have It

...the debate over bows and the nays have it. Some of you were brave enough to post your vote, others had to call (and you know who you are). So, it looks like Kate will be bow-less (at least for now). However, she may sport one from time to time and once her hair is longer she will DEFINITELY wear them!

The girls just hanging out (pardon my appearance, I've been a little under the weather).

The Debate

...the controversy over the bows (you thought I was going to talk politics, didn't you). There are differing opinions between Michael and I (as well as my mom) on whether or not babies should wear bows. Kate has never been out in public in a bow due to the debate. This week, however, she tested the waters with a headband (minus the bow). I am posting pictures of her in the headband and a bow. Please weigh in and give your opinion on whether or not babies should wear bows.

So will it be the headband,

the bow,

or nothing, it's your pick!

(Sigh) Monday

...this picture of Stanley, and the blah fact that it's a Monday. Where did the weekend go?!?! I haven't thought of a good caption for this picture, so maybe you all can help with that. What would be a good caption for this photo? This picture just seems to capture the essence of a Monday morning to me, so in honor of Monday, here's Stanley...


Sorry for the graphic image and any emotional trauma it might have caused.

SHOTS!!!!!!

...poor Kate getting her 2 month shots. Well, it's hard to believe but our little monkey is 2 months old and you know what that means...SHOTS! I know there's lots of stuff floating around about the possible dangers of vaccines but we decided we'd rather her not get the awful things the shots help prevent. So, on Thursday we took her to her doctor (Dr. Holly Hanson--she's great) to have a check up and 3 shots. I think I must have been terribly nervous (I know Michael was too) because when we left I felt all my muscles relax like I had been very tense. She only cried for about a minute and I really think she handled it much better than we did. However, for the next day she was a little fussy and very sleepy. To keep you updated on how fast she is growing she weighed 10 lbs 7 ounces and was 23 inches long. Here are some pictures of her sleeping (I know she is on her stomach but I promise I checked on her frequently--she just likes to nap that way) the next day. She was so sweet.


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Just for Today

...my dream to work with pediatric cancer patients and their families.  I know this blog is not about Kate (I'm sure there will be one soon since she has her 2 month appointment today) but I get many questions about what I do.  The simple answer is that I work with families facing various struggles.  Today, however, an article came out in the Lubbock paper about what I wish I could do for the rest of my life.  

I started doing Medical Family Therapy shortly after moving here 3 years ago and had to pinch myself to believe that the job I had always dreamed of doing was now reality.  I have provided a link to the article for you to read, if you wish, because I am proud of the work I have done there and wish I could do for the rest of my life. 

 

http://www.lubbockonline.com/stories/092508/liv_336630478.shtml

10 Seconds with Kate

...Kate making new faces seemingly every day. Her little personality is really developing. I think she's going to be a happy kid. Here's what we've noticed so far about her personality. She's funny--at least she makes us laugh anyway. A little overdramatic. She knows what she wants. She likes to get out of the house and go places...and gets mad when she's cooped up too long. Enjoys long walks in the sunset, well, being pushed in a stroller in the sunset for now. And last, but certainly not least, she likes to cuddle.

Back to the new faces. While I was feeding her yesterday, Amanda tried to get some pictures of her different faces. Some of these might be a little blurry, only because I don't know how they will look on the blog--blown up on my computer they're a little blurry. These pictures represent 10 seconds with Kate...no kidding...only 10seconds.

mmmmmm...this is good.

wait! where did my bottle go?

seriously! which one of you is responsible for taking my bottle?

i'm not playing around any more! i want it back!!!!

Not to fear folks, the crying stopped as quickly as it started.

You Asked For It

...people asking for more pictures of Kate. Here are a few we took today. I can't believe she is already 8 weeks old. She is starting to hold her head up really well and loves to hang out with her daddy while he watches football!

We're trying to make her an Okie (and less of a Texan).  Go Pokes!

Girl Power.  This is Kate and her friend Izabella. She is the daughter of my hairdresser. The girls met for the first time yesterday and I am so excited that she will have a friend so close to her age.  

Kate's cute outfits were made by one of my best friends Jill.  Thanks Jill!

Kate's Godmother

...our desire for our Kathryn to have a great role model in her life.  In addition to her wonderful extended family we thought asking our friend Brandy Lucas to be her Godmother would give her another person in her life to pray for and guide her as she grows in to an accomplished young lady (we have high expectations!).  We have so many amazing friends in our lives but it just became more and more clear that Brandy loves our daughter like we would want a Godmother to love her.  

Brandy was actually the first to know that I was pregnant (she helped me surprise Michael that day).  She also was there for the long journey it took for us to get pregnant.  At each step of the way she would listen.  She also had her mother in California praying that we would have a child.  She was at the hospital the day Kate arrived and has spent many hours holding her since she arrived.  

We are proud that Brandy will be in Kate's life.  We hope Kate learns from Brandy's example of how to be a strong, intelligent, and Godly woman.  Brandy recently moved back to California and we miss her already.  However, it just gives us an excuse to make a trip out west every now and then.

We miss you Brandy!

It's a Jeep Thing

...our "normal" stroller shaking poor Kate on our long walks in the evening like skateboarding over train tracks. So, Amanda being the conscientious shopper she is, started researching jogging/urban strollers--you know, the three wheel variety with tires that actually have air in them. She researched to find the best model for price, ride, height (some are entirely too short for us), maneuverability, and folding ease. The winner of her research was the Jeep Liberty Limited All-Terrain 3 Wheel Stroller. It rides smooth, is really sturdy, tall enough, handles easy, folds up with one hand, and the price was right. And, for the bonus, this stroller includes a jack and speaker for our iPod, so we can have music while we walk.

Anyway, we all love the new stroller for our long walks in the evening sunset with the dogs. Kate loves to ride in a stroller so much that we've been taking about 45 minute walks every night just so she can be outside and ride. This kid loves to go. Here are a couple of pictures of our monkey enjoying her new stroller:

Comal County Blue and Strawberries

...me, again forgetting to grab the camera to load new pictures. I should remember it tomorrow, so stay tuned for more this week. But, while I'm writing I might as well give a recommendation and post some pictures.

My cousin-in-law's band, Jason Boland & the Stagglers, released a new album last month: Comal County Blue. And, I might add, it's awesome! I'm not saying that just because we're out-laws. The album was the #1 country download on iTunes for a while. Unfortunately Jason can't be out plugging his album like normal because of a throat surgery. Here's hoping to a fast recovery. And people looking for a new band to listen to, download this album at iTunes or visit the website at http://www.thestragglers.com/. (Here's a picture of the album with our nephew Krece...and the torso of Jason)


Now, speaking of Krece. While we were in Oklahoma for Labor Day, Krece decided to try all the strawberries in the bowl. Now, being the adult watching this happen I guess I could have stopped him, but it was too fun to watch. So, I grabbed the camera and tried to capture as many funny shots as I could. So, here's the little guy trying to find which strawberry tastes the best. It looks vaguely like me with a box of chocolates...






More stuff to come soon...

Absence makes the heart grow...sadder

...Amanda having to start back to work some this week. It's a two post kind of a day--plus, I really wanted you all to be thinking about Amanda right now. Sadly, she's having to leave Kate today for about 4 hours, and she is taking it hard. Not that it should be easy...I mean, c'mon, you've all seen how cute she is. Plus, the two just have this connection that is truly a wonderful thing to behold. Even though she's being kept by a great friend of ours, who is completely competent in every way, its still tough. For all you moms out there reading today, try to think back to how difficult it was to leave your kid for the first time. Does it get easier? I hope so, but I'm not so sure.

Still part of the pack

...Stanley (the bigger dog pictured below) and Sophie (the smaller one also pictured) finally adjusting to life with Kate...for now at least. I have a feeling the dogs are going to have to readjust to her at every stage. I'm not sure they are ready for the noisy toy/crawling stage, but thankfully, we are still a ways from that. Both dogs actually like the new camera, since I don't have to use the flash as much, so last week they gave me a good photo session. And, since they are still part of the pack, I thought it would be nice if they made the blog today...